Liberty Middle School

Q: Is Liberty Middle School a good school?

Liberty Middle School ranks 705 th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Liberty Middle School is a public middle school located in Ocala, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,365 students. The school is part of the Marion School District, which is ranked 61 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Over the past several years, Liberty Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Florida middle schools, typically around the 700th position out of over 1,100 schools, and has maintained a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite its overall ranking, Liberty Middle School outperforms the Marion district and the state of Florida in several key test score metrics. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Liberty Middle School had 74% of students proficient or better in EOC/Algebra 1, compared to 45% for the district and 55% for the state. Similarly, in EOC/Geometry, Liberty Middle School had 93% proficiency, significantly higher than the district (45%) and state (53%) averages. However, the school faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 33.5% in the 2022-2023 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average of 16-21%.

When compared to nearby middle schools in the Marion district, Liberty Middle School generally outperforms them in test scores, particularly in EOC/Algebra 1 and EOC/Geometry. For instance, in the 2023-2024 school year, Liberty Middle School had 74% and 93% proficiency in these subjects, respectively, compared to lower scores at nearby schools like North Marion Middle (83% and 100%) and Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks (87% and 96%). However, Liberty Middle School's student-teacher ratio of 20.3 in 2022-2023 is still higher than the state average, indicating a potential need for more teaching resources.

Detail:

Public 6-8

4773 SW 95th St
Ocala, FL 34476

(352) 291-7930

District: Marion

SchoolDigger Rank:
705^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,373

Students who attend Liberty Middle School usually attend:

High:

West Port High School

Feeder schools for Liberty Middle School:

Elementary:	Dr N H Jones Elementary School
	Hammett Bowen Junior Elementary School
	Saddlewood Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 19.0

Number of students: 1,184

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

36.3%

White:

32.3%

African American:

20.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 55.1%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Liberty Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Liberty Middle School ranks worse than 58.9% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 6^th among 10 ranked middle schools in the Marion School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 41.23. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Liberty Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (36.3%), White (32.3%), African American (20.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 55.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Liberty Middle School is 19, which is the 3^rd best among 10 middle schools in the Marion School District. (See more...)

Compare Liberty Middle School employs 62 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Liberty Middle School is $8,373. 6 middle schools in the Marion School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Liberty Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Liberty Middle School 705^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Liberty Middle School in the ranking list.)

Marion:

SchoolDigger ranks Marion 61^st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Liberty Middle School.

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Rank History for Liberty Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	51.56	309^th	593	47.9%
2005	49.47	333^rd	602	44.7%
2006	50.70	351^st	675	48.0%
2007	54.32	362^nd	736	50.8%
2008	51.11	391^st	740	47.2%
2009	56.45	368^th	780	52.8%
2010	58.64	376^th	839	55.2%
2011	58.67	398^th	891	55.3%
2012	55.98	403^rd	897	55.1%
2013	48.53	507^th	956	47.0%
2014	43.94	568^th	999	43.1%
2016	41.76	574^th	997	42.4%
2017	44.71	567^th	1031	45.0%
2018	41.13	614^th	1035	40.7%
2019	38.65	690^th	1099	37.2%
2021	35.42	741^st	1136	34.8%
2022	36.43	727^th	1148	36.7%
2023	37.49	734^th	1177	37.6%
2024	41.23	705^th	1196	41.1%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, March 7, 2019

The principal and her staff need to learn how to lead by example not do as I say not as I do they also need to stop telling the girls that they are in the wrong for taking up for their selves when the boys are being inappropriate also if they're going to enforce dress code for the students the staff needs to abide by the same dress code namely the principal Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, November 3, 2016

I cannot understand how this school is even considered a "school"!!! They have teachers, who are NOT qualified to teach! They steal money from minors and say it's for fund raising, without notification to parents!! They lack organization and communication, which is extremely important when running a "school"!! The principal wouldn't last 2 days in an A or B rated school!! I would NEVER recommend this school to ANYONE, and I will make sure to take this to every level I can. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Liberty Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2001	220	100	2	35	3	n/a	n/a	0	360
2002	732	369	15	195	3	n/a	n/a	0	1314
2003	732	369	15	195	3	n/a	n/a	0	1314
2004	706	280	21	190	2	n/a	n/a	0	1199
2005	709	275	23	210	9	n/a	n/a	0	1226
2006	663	278	22	221	12	n/a	n/a	0	1196
2007	653	264	33	250	13	n/a	n/a	55	1268
2008	626	246	36	285	9	n/a	n/a	65	1267
2009	551	227	39	216	17	n/a	n/a	67	1117
2010	511	222	40	216	16	n/a	n/a	59	1064
2011	463	248	26	259	24	1	91	0	1112
2012	469	221	23	242	21	1	74	0	1051
2013	475	242	28	279	18	1	70	0	1113
2014	455	237	29	303	13	2	69	0	1108
2015	483	196	25	321	13	3	68	0	1109
2016	484	212	23	323	7	5	58	0	1112
2017	506	223	24	331	7	5	55	0	1151
2018	522	242	35	387	6	6	54	0	1252
2019	478	255	38	429	6	6	64	0	1276
2020	509	253	50	478	5	5	63	0	1363
2021	472	259	49	463	6	3	59	0	1311
2022	493	231	47	480	6	3	55	0	1315
2023	488	246	52	509	5	4	61	0	1365
2024	382	240	53	430	5	5	69	0	1184

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Liberty Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2001	360	19.0	18.9	60.6
2002	1314	58.0	22.7	49.8
2003	1314	58.0	22.7	49.8
2004	1199	60.0	20.0	40.3
2005	1226	68.0	18.0	57.4
2006	1196	65.0	18.4	55.4
2007	1268	69.0	18.4	56.7
2008	1267	72.0	17.6	59.9
2009	1117	67.6	18.3	55.6
2010	1064	61.0	17.4	66.1
2011	1112	63.0	17.6	61.2
2012	1051	64.0	16.4	61.2
2013	1113	64.0	17.3	66.8
2014	1108	59.0	18.7	64.4
2015	1109	61.0	18.1	65.6
2016	1112	64.0	17.3	68
2017	1151	60.0	19.1	66.5
2018	1252	64.0	19.5	63.4
2019	1276	66.0	19.3	61.6
2020	1363	62.0	21.9	60.8
2021	1311	65.0	20.1	58.2
2022	1315	62.0	21.2	56.5
2023	1365	67.0	20.3	54.4
2024	1184	62.0	19.0	55.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Liberty Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2001	360	19.0	18.9	60.6
2002	1314	58.0	22.7	49.8
2003	1314	58.0	22.7	49.8
2004	1199	60.0	20.0	40.3
2005	1226	68.0	18.0	57.4
2006	1196	65.0	18.4	55.4
2007	1268	69.0	18.4	56.7
2008	1267	72.0	17.6	59.9
2009	1117	67.6	18.3	55.6
2010	1064	61.0	17.4	66.1
2011	1112	63.0	17.6	61.2
2012	1051	64.0	16.4	61.2
2013	1113	64.0	17.3	66.8
2014	1108	59.0	18.7	64.4
2015	1109	61.0	18.1	65.6
2016	1112	64.0	17.3	68
2017	1151	60.0	19.1	66.5
2018	1252	64.0	19.5	63.4
2019	1276	66.0	19.3	61.6
2020	1363	62.0	21.9	60.8
2021	1311	65.0	20.1	58.2
2022	1315	62.0	21.2	56.5
2023	1365	67.0	20.3	54.4
2024	1184	62.0	19.0	55.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Liberty Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$471 (7.6%)	$5,708 (92.4%)	$6,179
2019	$560 (8.8%)	$5,819 (91.2%)	$6,378
2020	$413 (6.7%)	$5,778 (93.3%)	$6,191
2021	$652 (9.6%)	$6,129 (90.4%)	$6,781
2022	$1,111 (15.3%)	$6,165 (84.7%)	$7,276
2023	$1,274 (15.2%)	$7,099 (84.8%)	$8,373

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Liberty Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 690^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 734^th of 1177 Middle schools	0.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty Middle School)	40	47	7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Marion)	45	42	3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Liberty Middle School)	40	42	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Marion)	46	40	6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty Middle School)	48	46	2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Marion)	46	39	7%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Liberty Middle School)	48	38	10%
7th Grade Mathematics (Marion)	49	40	9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty Middle School)	47	36	11%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Marion)	50	38	12%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Liberty Middle School)	46	27	19%
8th Grade Mathematics (Marion)	41	26	15%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Liberty Middle School)	42	46	4%
8th Grade Science (Marion)	44	37	7%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Liberty Middle School)	71	70	1%
End of Course Civics (Marion)	65	58	7%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Liberty Middle School)	94	74	20%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Marion)	55	44	11%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Liberty Middle School)	100	89	11%
End of Course Geometry (Marion)	51	41	10%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1276	1365	7%
African American	255	246	3.5%
American Indian	6	5	16.7%
Asian	38	52	36.8%
Hispanic	429	509	18.6%
Pacific Islander	6	4	33.3%
White	478	488	2.1%
Two or More Races	64	61	4.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	61.6%	54.4%	7.2%

Schools Near Liberty Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Liberty Middle School	Public	6-8	4773 SW 95th St	Ocala	34476	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 291-7930	1,184	62	19.0	55.1%	382 (32.3%)	240 (20.3%)	430 (36.3%)	53 (4.5%)	5 (0.4%)	5 (0.4%)	69 (5.8%)	41.2	705^th of 1196 public middle schools	41.1%		37.5	734^th of 1177 public middle schools	37.6%	29	53.0	40.0	43.0	48.0	29.0	54.0	45.0	74.0	93.0	67.0	$8,373	$1,274	$7,099
Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks	Public, Magnet	6-8	365 Marion Oaks Dr	Ocala	34473	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6290	1,112	56	19.8	66.5%	241 (21.7%)	248 (22.3%)	551 (49.6%)	10 (0.9%)	4 (0.4%)	4 (0.4%)	54 (4.9%)	28.4	886^th of 1196 public middle schools	25.9%		31.1	828^th of 1177 public middle schools	29.7%	58	33.0	37.0	41.0	40.0	36.0	46.0	30.0	87.0	96.0	44.0	$8,984	$1,930	$7,054
Belleview Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	10500 SE 36th Ave	Belleview	34420	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6235	1,541	67	23.0	58.8%	821 (53.3%)	194 (12.6%)	425 (27.6%)	7 (0.5%)	6 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	86 (5.6%)	47.7	621^st of 1196 public middle schools	48.1%		41.7	680^th of 1177 public middle schools	42.2%	59	58.0	43.0	52.0	64.0	29.0	44.0	46.0	84.0	100.0	65.0	$7,730	$1,302	$6,428
Osceola Middle School	Public	6-8	526 SE Tuscawilla Ave	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	No	(352) 671-7100	915	45	20.3	43.4%	498 (54.4%)	142 (15.5%)	191 (20.9%)	18 (2.0%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	63 (6.9%)	58.6	462^nd of 1196 public middle schools	61.4%		61.4	419^th of 1177 public middle schools	64.4%	43	61.0	48.0	51.0	58.0	67.0	52.0	50.0	88.0	100.0	70.0	$8,956	$1,268	$7,688
Howard Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1655 NW 10th St	Ocala	34475	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-7225	891	46	19.3	60.4%	239 (26.8%)	320 (35.9%)	212 (23.8%)	63 (7.1%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	53 (5.9%)	43.3	684^th of 1196 public middle schools	42.8%		42.3	670^th of 1177 public middle schools	43.1%	14	52.0	47.0	46.0	49.0	19.0	52.0	43.0	88.0	92.0	57.0	$9,349	$1,273	$8,076
Ocali Charter Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	3233 SE Maricamp Rd	Ocala	34478	Marion County	Marion	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 264-9940	194	11	17.6	59.3%	87 (44.8%)	29 (14.9%)	62 (32.0%)	4 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (6.2%)	46.4	638^th of 1196 public middle schools	46.7%		26.1	893^rd of 1177 public middle schools	24.1%	255	62.0	42.0	52.0	63.0	36.0	39.0	36.0	40.0	91.0	47.0	$7,605	$868	$6,737
Fort King Middle School	Public	6-8	545 NE 17th Ave	Ocala	34470	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-4725	993	47	21.1	69.2%	428 (43.1%)	243 (24.5%)	266 (26.8%)	6 (0.6%)	4 (0.4%)	5 (0.5%)	41 (4.1%)	26	916^th of 1196 public middle schools	23.4%		27.1	881^st of 1177 public middle schools	25.1%	35	41.0	32.0	33.0	40.0	22.0	47.0	32.0	64.0		48.0	$8,350	$1,408	$6,943
Lake Weir Middle School	Public	6-8	10220 SE Sunset Harbor Rd	Summerfield	34491	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6120	1,101	49	22.4	74.0%	474 (43.1%)	213 (19.3%)	314 (28.5%)	17 (1.5%)	6 (0.5%)	3 (0.3%)	74 (6.7%)	22.7	960^th of 1196 public middle schools	19.7%		21.9	952^nd of 1177 public middle schools	19.1%	8	35.0	27.0	39.0	32.0	28.0	44.0	28.0	82.0	100.0	38.0	$8,665	$2,007	$6,658
Citrus Springs Middle School	Public	6-8	150 W Citrus Springs Blvd	Citrus Springs	34434	Citrus County	Citrus	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 344-2244	793	48	16.6	54.7%	554 (69.9%)	45 (5.7%)	124 (15.6%)	16 (2.0%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	49 (6.2%)	59.3	451^st of 1196 public middle schools	62.3%		54.4	503^rd of 1177 public middle schools	57.3%	52	60.0	53.0	60.0	43.0	66.0	52.0	46.0	95.0	100.0	67.0	$9,693	$1,504	$8,189
Dunnellon Middle School	Public	6-8	21005 Chestnut St	Dunnellon	34431	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 465-6720	709	39	18.1	65.7%	350 (49.4%)	49 (6.9%)	261 (36.8%)	5 (0.7%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (5.8%)	46.7	634^th of 1196 public middle schools	47.0%		46.7	609^th of 1177 public middle schools	48.3%	25	52.0	42.0	43.0	66.0	46.0	56.0	38.0	90.0		61.0	$9,995	$1,700	$8,296

Frequently Asked Questions about Liberty Middle School

What high school do graduates of Liberty Middle School attend?

Students who attend Liberty Middle School usually go on to attend West Port High School

Is Liberty Middle School a good school?

Liberty Middle School ranks 705^th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Liberty Middle School in?

Marion

What is the racial makeup of Liberty Middle School?

Students at Liberty Middle School are 36% Hispanic, 32% White, 20% African American, 6% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

How many students attend Liberty Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,184 students attended Liberty Middle School.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.